Is Too Much Screen Time Bad for Kids?
Screens are an integral part of children's daily lives today. Whether it's playing games, sending messages, or watching videos, screens are ubiquitous. But what are the effects of this abundance of screens on children's health?
To reduce screen time, some parents prohibit phones at the table. In some households, playing games or sending text messages must stop two hours before bedtime. To put an end to screen time, some parents set daily usage time limits for their children's devices. For example, when two hours of screen time have been reached, no more text messages, games, or watching YouTube videos.
Screen Time
According to the Vision Council, 72% of American parents report that their children regularly spend more than two hours per day in front of a screen. And it's highly likely that children spend even more time in front of screens than their parents think. As children grow up, their screen time also increases. Even toddlers today spend a significant part of their day in front of screens. According to Common Sense Media, young children in the United States spend the following amounts of time on digital devices each day:
- • Children under 2 years old: 42 minutes per day
- • Children aged 2 to 4 years: 2.5 hours per day
- • Children aged 5 to 8 years: nearly 3 hours per day
Why Could Too Much Screen Time Be a Problem for Kids?
The Vision Council indicates that 30% of parents observe at least one of the following symptoms in their children after more than two hours of screen time per day:
- • Headaches
- • Neck and shoulder pain
- • Eye fatigue, dry or irritated eyes
- • Decreased attention
- • Disrupted behavior
- • Irritability
These symptoms can affect children's academic performance and social interactions. Furthermore,
the rapid increase in myopia worldwide is linked to increased use of electronic devices. In Singapore, 65% of sixth-grade students are myopic. In the United States and Europe, about half of young adults are myopic today, compared to 25% in the 1970s.
The Impact of Blue Light
LED screens on computers and digital devices emit a wide range of visible light, including
blue light, a type of high-energy visible light. Blue light has short wavelengths and high energy, and most of our exposure to this light comes from the sun, even indoors. Blue-turquoise light plays a key role in regulating our circadian rhythm, an internal clock that alternates between wakefulness and sleep over a 24-hour period. Excessive exposure to blue light at inappropriate times can disrupt this sleep-wake cycle. For this reason, it is advisable to limit the use of digital devices before bedtime.
How to Reduce Screen Time
What can parents do to reduce screen time and protect their children's eye health? It's unlikely that children will decrease their use of digital devices on their own. Therefore, parents need to take steps to limit this time and teach eye-healthy practices. Watching a screen for too long can cause some visual discomfort. To remedy this, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at an object 6 meters away for 20 seconds. If reducing screen time is not an option, consider purchasing computer glasses. These glasses make focusing on the screen easier and improve long-term visual comfort. Some of these glasses also filter blue light.
Prescription Glasses and Suitable Sunglasses
The sun emits much more blue light than digital devices. Therefore, it's important for all children to wear sunglasses outdoors to reduce their exposure to this light. Additionally, all children should wear sunglasses to protect against ultraviolet (UV) rays. If your child wears prescription glasses, consider lenses that filter UV rays. Some manufacturers offer lenses capable of doing so. Another option is to apply an
anti-reflective coating on the lenses. Finally, you can opt for photochromic lenses, which automatically darken outdoors and block UV light without requiring additional sunglasses.
Polarized sunglasses are also an excellent option for outdoor protection.
Filters
To prevent your child's sleep-wake cycle from being disrupted, establish a "screen-free" rule at least an hour or two before bedtime. Also, set limits on phone usage time. Apple, Google, and other companies now offer features and apps to manage screen time and monitor your children's daily device usage. Check with your provider for more information. Be proactive as a parent: spend more quality time with your children to reduce their screen dependency. There are many ways to set screen time limits and encourage good visual habits while your children watch videos, post on social media, or play games.
Regularly Consult an Ophthalmologist
Finally, don't forget to schedule annual eye exams with an ophthalmologist to monitor your child's vision and eye health. Ask your specialist for advice on the best lens options to ensure your child's visual comfort during screen time.
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Notes and References
The 2017 Census of Common Sense. Common Sense Media. Accessed December 2018.
How to Use Apple's New Screen Time Features and App Limits in iOS 12. The Verge. September 2018.
Digital Eye Strain. The Vision Council. Accessed July 2018.
Association between Digital Media Use and Later Symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adolescents. JAMA. July 2018.
Association of Disrupted Circadian Rhythmicity with Mood Disorders, Subjective Well-being, and Cognitive Function: A Cross-sectional Study of 91,105 Participants from the UK Biobank. The Lancet Psychiatry. June 2018.
Google Implements Time Management Controls in Apps. TechCrunch. May 2018.
Circadian Rhythms in Diet-Induced Obesity. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. September 2017.
Myopia is Increasing Worldwide. The Straits Times. August 2017.
Prevention of Increased Abnormal Fundus Autofluorescence with Blue Light Filtering Intraocular Lenses. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery. September 2015. the vision council
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